Pump It Up! Heart Health Quiz

The heart is a pump, and like other pumps, it can become clogged, break down and need repair. And it does break down for many people -- heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. How much do you know about the dangers that threaten this organ, and what can you do to keep it healthy?

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

What is infarction?

a tool used to restart the heart

death of cells

If cell death occurs, it's called infarction. Since a heart attack is cell death of heart muscle, it's called a myocardial infarction.

heart attack

Question 2 of 20

If the coronary artery is blocked, it causes angina. What happens if an artery near the brain is blocked?

autism

Alzheimer's

stroke

A stroke occurs when one of the arteries near the brain is blocked.

Question 3 of 20

What is the upper number of your blood pressure reading called?

systolic blood pressure

Your blood pressure has two numbers. In a blood pressure reading, the upper number is called the systolic blood pressure, while the lower number is called the diastolic blood pressure.

diastolic blood pressure

myocardial blood pressure

Question 4 of 20

What is considered a normal blood pressure?

systolic blood pressure less than 90 and diastolic blood pressure less than 150

systolic blood pressure less than 140 and diastolic blood pressure less than 90

A systolic blood pressure less than 140 and a diastolic blood pressure less than 90 are considered normal.

systolic blood pressure less than 180 and diastolic blood pressure less than 150

Question 5 of 20

What kind of medication is used to treat hypertension works by excreting extra water and salt to lower blood pressure?

ACE inhibitors

anti-adrenergic drugs

diuretics

Diuretics, also known as "water pills," excrete extra water and salt to lower blood pressure. There are six classes of medications to treat hypertension.

Question 6 of 20

If you're trying to keep your weight in check, what BMI (Body Mass Index) should you be aiming for?

14-18

20-25

A BMI of 20-25 is considered good, over 27 is considered overweight, and over 30 is considered obese. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease by increasing other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and low HDL (good cholesterol).

28-32

Question 7 of 20

What's the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and cholesterol?

An elevated level of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and a decreased level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) are associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease.

A decreased level of LDL and an elevated level of HDL are associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease.

An elevated level of LDL (the bad cholesterol) is associated with an increased risk of CAD. An elevated level of HDL (the good cholesterol) is associated with a decreased risk of CAD.

Levels of LDL and HDL should be about the same to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.

Question 8 of 20

How do beta blockers work?

These medications work by dilating the veins.

These medications work by preventing clots in the vessels leading to the heart.

These medications work by decreasing the heart rate.

Beta blockers decrease the heart rate and force of the heart's contraction by blocking the effects of the nervous system on the heart. Medications in this class include Propranolol, Metoprolol and Atenolol.

Question 9 of 20

In 2006, a study reported that mice that were bred to develop atherosclerosis experienced a decrease in artery plaque buildup when they were fed vegetables. By what percentage did the artery plaque buildup decrease?

32 percent

38 percent

The study reported that mice that were bred to develop atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) quickly experienced a 38 percent decrease in artery plaque buildup when they were fed vegetables.

44 percent

Question 10 of 20

A study that tracked 1,300 senior citizens living in Massachusetts found that they were 60 percent less likely to have heart problems if they ate 1 cup a day of which vegetables?

fava beans or spinach

peas or carrots

carrots or squash

Those who ate at least 1 cup of carrots or squash every day were 60 percent less likely to have heart problems.

Question 11 of 20

How many times does the average heart expand and contract daily?

100,000 times

The average heart expands and contracts about 100,000 times each day.

250,000 times

1,000,000 times

Question 12 of 20

What is the name of the test used to detect heart disease?

mammogram

biopsy

angiogram

Doctors perform an angiogram to test for heart disease.

Question 13 of 20

What diseases are adults with extra weight likely to have that can lead to heart disease?

high blood pressure, high cholesterol

Adults that carry extra weight are more likely to have high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. Both of these disorders are precursors to heart disease.

diabetes, high cholesterol

bulimia, high blood pressure

Question 14 of 20

How many gallons of blood does the heart pump throughout the body?

1,000 gallons (3,785 liters)

2,000 gallons (7,571 liters)

The heart pumps 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood throughout the body.

3,000 gallons (11,356 liters)

Question 15 of 20

How much more are smokers likely to die from heart disease than non-smokers?

three times

Smokers are three times more likely to die from heart disease than non-smokers.

10 times

no difference

Question 16 of 20

What is the C-reactive protein (CRP)?

a protein that shows when blood vessels are inflamed

CRP is a protein that reacts to inflammation. Studies show that patients with the highest levels of CRP are twice as likely to have a heart attact.

a protein that catalyzes metabolism

a protein that assists in mobility

Question 17 of 20

What two types of cholesterol affect your heart?

VLDL and HDL

HDL and LDL

High levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and low levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. High levels of HDL cholesterol can prevent this buildup.

triglycerides and HDL

Question 18 of 20

Which activity below can benefit your heart as well as harm?

smoking

drinking alcohol

Drinking alcohol in moderation can benefit the heart. There are also downsides to drinking alcohol excessively: alcoholism, cancer, liver disease, obesity and heart disease.

cardio exercises

Question 19 of 20

What is the name of the “bad gene” doctors say will likely develop into heart trouble?

P2RX4

LTC4S

Doctors say if you are born with LTC4S, you're four times as likely to develop heart disease later in life.

S7

Question 20 of 20

Sleep is important to heart health. Which of the following is NOT a good idea when it comes to sleep?

The more sleep, the better. If time is available, sleep nine or more hours.

Women who slept more than nine hours per night were 37 percent more likely to have heart trouble. Eight hours of sleep is sufficient.